SOVIETS HAVE FAR OUTSPENT U.S. ON NUCLEAR DEFENSE, CIA SAYS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP99-01448R000301220030-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 15, 2012
• Sequence Number: 30
• Publication Date: November 25, 1986
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Declassified and Approved ForRelease2012/08/15 : CIA-RDP99-01448R000301220030-8
? t?-? r 1 4 I- LI I I \ .2
25 November 1986
? SOVIETS HAVE FAR OUTSPENT U.S. ON NUCLEAR DEFENSE, CIA SAYS
By WILLIAM M. WELCH
WASHINGTON
The Soviet Union has spent much more than the United States on developing a
strategic nuclear defense and is laying the foundation for a rapidly deployable
nationwide anti-ballistic missile system, the CIA's No. 2 official said
Tuesday.
Robert M. Gates, deputy director of central intelligence, said the CIA
estimates that over the past 10 years the Soviets have spent nearly $150 billion
on strategic defense, almost 15 times what the United States has spent.
In remarks prepared for a foreign policy group in San Francisco, Sates said
the Soviets have used the money to upgrade and expand the operational ballistic
missile defense system installed around Moscow to the limits allowed by the 1972
Anti-Ballistic Missile, or ABM, treaty.
In addition, he said, the Soviets are taking steps that would permit
widespread deployment of anti-ballistic missiles and now have the major radar,
launcher and other components for deployment "well in excess of ABM treaty
limits.""Taken together, all of the Soviet Union's ABM and ABM-related
activities are more significant and more ominous than any one considered
individually," Gates said. "Cumulatively, they suggest that the U.S.S.R. may be
preparing an ABM defense of its national territory."Gates offered his remarks as
an argument for continued research and development of the "Star Wars" nuclear
defense system proposed by President Reagan, formally called the Strategic
Defense Initiative.
In addition to anti-ballistic missiles, Gates said the Soviets have pursued
advanced technologies for strategic defense. He said the Soviets have worked 25
long as the United States in laser, particle beam, kinetic energy and microwave
technology, including research toward ground-based anti-satellite laser weapons
and strong radio frequency signals that could interfere with the electronics of
missile warheads.
"Limited though the current Soviet anti-ballistic missile system is, the
Soviets are laying the foundation that will give them the option of a
relatively rapidly deployable nationwide ABM system a system that despite
deficiencies would give the Soviets a significant unilateral advantage both
politically and in time of war," he said.
He said the Soviets were waging an intense propaganda campaign to dissuade
the United Sttes from pursuing its strategic defense research and "preserve the
Soviet monopoly in defense against ballistic missiles."Gates has held the No. 2
Job at the CIA since April. He previously was deputy director for
intelligence.
He made the remarks in a speech to the World Affairs Council of Northern
California.
Following material for release at 9:15 p.m. EST In a later address to the
Commonwealth Club of San Francisco, Gates said the Soviet Union has played a
"pervasively destructive role," both directly and through its client states,
throughout the Third World and that Kremlin support is crucial for large-scale
terrorist operations.
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/08/15: CIA-RDP99-01448R000301220030-8
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Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/08/15: CIA-RDP99-01448R000301220030-8
He said that over the past 10 years, the Soviets have incited violence and
disorder and sponsored subversion of neutral_or pro-Western governments in
dozens of countries, including El Salvador, Honduras, the 'Caribbean, South korea
and Pakistan.
He said the Soviets intentions are to use Third World conflict to gain
access to Middle East oil fields, the. Panama Canal and isthmus and the mineral
wealth of southern Africa and to exploit divisions in the Western. alliance.
"Let there be no 'mistake or ambiguity ,about it: the Soviet Union supports
terrorism,"- Gates said. "Nearly every, terrorist group in the Middle East has
links to the U.S.S.R. or one of its clients.".
Declassified and Approved For Release 2012/08/15: CIA-RDP99-01448R000301220030-8